Improvement in rotary engines



JOSEPH B BENNETT. lfnprovement i n Rotary Engines.

No.125, 524. PatentedApri|9,1872.

ATENT FFIGE.

. JOSEPH B. BENNETT, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN ROTARY ENGINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 125,524, dated April 9,1872.

Specification describing an Improved Method of Opera-ting Pistons inRotary Engines, invented by JosEPH B. BENNETT, of the city of Brooklyn,county of Kings and State of New York.

The nature of my invention consists in the devices used for operatingthe pistons in that class of rotary engines having inner revolvingcylinders or wheels, which are actuated by pressure on said pistons.

Figure 1 represents a face view of a rotary engine, the head removed. A,outer cylinder; B, inner cylinder; 0 c, pistons; D, shaft; EE, ports.

Fig. 2, cross-section of same. The cylinder B has a chamber, I, whichconnects with the inner ends of piston-slots M M M, andthrough openingsor holes K K K with the inside of the hollow shaft D. One end of theshaft is closed, the other is furnished with a suitable connection witha steam-supply pipe, which pipe is provided with any suitable device forcontrolling or regulating pressure.

In use, steam is first supplied through the shaft to the chamber I andpiston-slots M MM. Its pressure forces the pistons against the-rim ofthe outer cylinder, in position to be operated upon by steam from theports. In the kind of engine represented, the plate or ring N N isfastened over the inner ends of the piston-slots to prevent the escapeof y the packing steam into the body of the engine. This packing steam,having no means of escape, has to be replenished only to compensate forcondensation and leakage, so that very little steam is used or required.

Heretot'ore cams, eccentrics, springs, and a variety of devices havebeen used-for the purpose of forcing the pistons in rotary engines totheir positions and keeping them to their work. These create friction,wear rapidly, are expensive, and difiicult to adjust to render themeffective. These objections are obviated in my invention. 7

I do not confine myself to any particular method of supplying thechamberI with steam, or to any particular shape in forming said chamber,its object being to hold a considerable body of steam and form apositive steamcushion to act on the inner ends-(or edges) of thepistons, its elasticity taking the place of springs. I do not confinemyself to the style of engine represented in the drawing. My inventionmay be advantageously used in various styles of rotary engines.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States, is-

1. The cylinder B with chamber I, arranged in combination with thehollow shaft D, substantially. as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The arrangement of connecting-holes K, chamber I, and piston-slots Mwith a supplypipe, substantially as set forth.

JOSEPH B. BENNETT.

Witnesses:

E. S. BENNETT, W. H. SWARTWOUT.

